8 Best-Selling Hoarding Books Millions Trust

Explore 8 best-selling Hoarding Books authored by Kimberly Rae Miller, Gail Steketee, and other experts offering authoritative guidance on hoarding

Updated on June 28, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love, especially when it comes to understanding hoarding—a complex and often misunderstood condition affecting millions. These eight books have resonated widely, offering readers proven strategies, emotional insight, and practical approaches that have helped many navigate the challenges of hoarding. Whether you're a family member, professional, or someone facing hoarding firsthand, these books provide trusted perspectives that stand the test of time.

Authored by leading experts and those with deep personal experience, these works blend clinical research, memoir, and practical guidance. For example, Dr. Gail Steketee's clinical expertise in compulsive hoarding and Kimberly Rae Miller's intimate memoir reveal different but complementary angles on the subject. Their combined authority has made these books staples in the hoarding literature landscape.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific Hoarding needs might consider creating a personalized Hoarding book that combines these validated approaches, ensuring targeted and actionable insights unique to their situation.

Best for structured hoarding treatment
Dr. Gail Steketee, Dean and Professor at Boston University School of Social Work, brings her extensive expertise in obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders to this workbook. With over 200 publications and numerous books on hoarding and related conditions, she co-authored the well-known title Stuff and edited the Oxford Handbook for Hoarding and Acquiring. Her Outstanding Career Achievement Award from the International OCD Foundation highlights her influence in the field. This book reflects her commitment to developing evidence-based treatment tools that help individuals actively engage in overcoming hoarding challenges.
Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring (Treatments That Work) book cover

by Gail Steketee, Randy Frost··You?

2006·160 pages·Hoarding, Compulsive Behavior, Cognitive Therapy, Behavioral Therapy, Emotional Regulation

Drawing from extensive clinical research and decades of experience, Drs. Gail Steketee and Randy Frost present a workbook designed to address the complex nature of compulsive hoarding and acquiring. You’ll learn to challenge distorted beliefs about possessions and develop personalized organization plans to reduce clutter’s impact on your life. The book offers practical exercises that guide you through sorting and gradually letting go of items, emphasizing cognitive shifts alongside behavioral changes. If you or someone you care about struggles with overwhelming clutter and emotional attachment to belongings, this workbook can provide structured support without overwhelming jargon or unrealistic promises.

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Best for personal hoarding insight
Kimberly Rae Miller’s "Coming Clean: A Memoir" stands out in the hoarding category by offering a deeply personal narrative that exposes the often hidden emotional consequences of living with a hoarder. Through vivid storytelling, Miller brings to light the psychological strain and family complexities involved, making this memoir resonate with many who face similar situations. This book has found widespread appeal for its honest portrayal of recovery and redemption, serving as a meaningful resource for anyone grappling with the effects of hoarding within their family. Its contribution lies in humanizing hoarding beyond the clutter, focusing on relationships and healing.
Coming Clean: A Memoir book cover

by Kimberly Rae Miller·You?

2013·272 pages·Hoarding, Memoir, Family Dynamics, Mental Health, Addiction Recovery

During her journey, Kimberly Rae Miller discovered the hidden toll hoarding can take on family dynamics and personal well-being. Her memoir offers an intimate look at growing up with a parent struggling with hoarding, revealing the emotional complexities behind the clutter. You gain insight into the psychological impact of living in such an environment, as well as themes of shame, secrecy, and resilience. This book particularly benefits those wanting to understand hoarding from a deeply personal perspective or who seek empathy for loved ones facing similar challenges.

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Best for personal action plans
This custom AI book on hoarding management is created based on your background, skill level, and specific challenges you face. You share which aspects of hoarding you want to focus on and your goals, and the book is crafted to match exactly what you need. This tailored approach makes learning more relevant and engaging by concentrating on the parts that matter most to you, rather than generic advice.
2025·50-300 pages·Hoarding, Hoarding Basics, Behavioral Patterns, Emotional Triggers, Clutter Management

This tailored book explores battle-tested hoarding strategies designed to address your unique challenges and circumstances. It covers the psychological underpinnings of hoarding behavior, practical techniques for managing clutter, and emotional support methods that resonate with your personal background. By focusing on your specific interests and goals, this personalized guide combines widely validated knowledge with insights tailored to your experiences, providing an engaging pathway to better understanding and coping with hoarding. Through this custom approach, the book examines effective interventions and coping mechanisms that align with your individual needs, helping you navigate the complexities of hoarding with clarity and confidence. The content emphasizes actionable knowledge adapted to your situation rather than one-size-fits-all advice.

AI-Tailored
Behavioral Analysis
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for compassionate hoarding stories
Matt Paxton, host of the Emmy-nominated series Legacy List with Matt Paxton and a leading downsizing and decluttering expert, brings nearly twenty years of experience working with families overwhelmed by hoarding. His unique perspective stems from managing multiple family estates after significant personal loss, leading to a deep understanding of the disorder’s emotional and practical challenges. Featured on 13 seasons of A&E's Hoarders, Paxton combines compassion with expertise to help you see the human side behind extreme clutter and offers guidance through the complex cleanup and healing journey.
2011·256 pages·Hoarding, Addictions, Mental Health, Clutter Management, Compulsive Behavior

Matt Paxton's two decades of hands-on experience with extreme clutter shape this revealing exploration of hoarding. You learn not only to recognize the disorder’s signs early but also how to approach those affected with empathy rather than judgment, a critical shift that makes all the difference. The book includes vivid accounts—such as uncovering $13,000 hidden in a "rat’s nest"—that illustrate the complexity behind the accumulation impulse and the delicate process of cleanup and recovery. If you're a family member, mental health professional, or someone seeking to understand this hidden epidemic, this book offers grounded insights and practical understanding without sensationalism.

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What Every Professional Organizer Needs to Know About Hoarding stands out in the hoarding field by offering foundational knowledge tailored to those who encounter hoarding in professional or caregiving contexts. Judith Kolberg, with her background leading the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization, combines psychological insights with practical organizing challenges faced by individuals who hoard. This book is widely recognized for its hopeful tone and for presenting collaborative methods that blend therapy, self-help, and support group efforts. It’s a valuable resource for anyone aiming to understand and positively impact the lives of those struggling with compulsive hoarding.
2009·204 pages·Hoarding, Mental Health, Organization, Therapy, Self Help

Judith Kolberg challenges the common notion that hoarding is simply about clutter by diving into the psychological roots and organizational struggles experienced by individuals who hoard. Drawing from her expertise as founder of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization, she unpacks how excessive acquisition and saving behaviors impact health and safety in the home environment. The book offers a multidisciplinary perspective valuable to professional organizers, social workers, and mental health practitioners, detailing collaborative approaches like therapy combined with organizing techniques and support groups. For anyone who works with or cares about people who hoard, this book provides a thoughtful exploration of practical methods and hopeful pathways to making a difference.

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Best for social work intervention strategies
The Hoarding Handbook offers a specialized resource for human service professionals confronting the wide-ranging complications of hoarding. It addresses the intersection of social work, public health, and safety concerns, providing a structured approach with case studies and decision tools to manage these challenging situations. This guide is highly regarded for its practical orientation and its focus on collaboration among professionals, making it a vital manual for those tasked with resolving hoarding cases and protecting at-risk individuals in communities.
The Hoarding Handbook: A Guide for Human Service Professionals book cover

by Christiana Bratiotis, Cristina Sorrentino Schmalisch, Gail Steketee·You?

2011·256 pages·Hoarding, Social Work, Public Health, Crisis Intervention, Case Management

After extensive research into hoarding's complex impacts, Christiana Bratiotis, Cristina Sorrentino Schmalisch, and Gail Steketee created this guide to help human service professionals navigate its multifaceted challenges. You’ll learn how to assess hoarding cases effectively, coordinate among multiple agencies, and engage with individuals resistant to intervention, with practical tools like decision trees and case studies. The book dives into real-world situations involving public health, fire safety, and welfare concerns, offering clear strategies tailored to each scenario. If your work involves direct contact with hoarding cases or managing interagency response, this book equips you with grounded insights and actionable frameworks without unnecessary jargon.

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Best for rapid decluttering plans
This personalized AI book about hoarding decluttering is created after you share your background, current challenges, and specific goals related to reducing clutter. AI compiles reader-validated knowledge and pairs it with your interests to create a focused, step-by-step plan tailored to your pace. Because hoarding involves complex emotional and behavioral patterns, having a custom guide that matches your needs makes the process less daunting and more manageable. It’s like having a personal coach who understands exactly what you want to achieve and how to get there efficiently.
2025·50-300 pages·Hoarding, Hoarding Basics, Clutter Assessment, Mindful Sorting, Daily Decluttering

This tailored book offers a focused journey into decluttering hoarded spaces through step-by-step actions designed to produce fast, tangible results. It explores how personalized tactics can be applied to reduce clutter by addressing the unique challenges and habits tied to hoarding. By combining widely validated knowledge with your specific background and goals, the book reveals practical ways to initiate change without overwhelming you. It examines methods for breaking down clutter management into manageable daily steps, ensuring progress aligns with your pace and interests. With a focus on rapid decluttering, this tailored guide matches your particular situation and aspirations, making the process approachable and effective. It emphasizes actionable actions that resonate personally, helping you build momentum toward a clearer, more organized environment.

Tailored Guide
Decluttering Roadmap
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for practical hoarding management
Compulsive Hoarding: Understanding & Treating Compulsive Hoarding offers a clear, no-frills look into the nature of hoarding and how to address it. Bowe Packer, with a solid background in self-help literature, provides a focused guide that breaks down hoarding into identifiable behaviors and practical steps for treatment. This book has found its place among readers seeking straightforward help for hoarding challenges, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and support in overcoming this condition. It serves as a useful resource for anyone ready to tackle hoarding with realistic and accessible methods.
2014·94 pages·Hoarding, Compulsive Behavior, Mental Health, Behavioral Therapy, Support Systems

Bowe Packer challenges the conventional wisdom that hoarding is merely clutter accumulation, instead presenting it as a complex behavioral disorder requiring targeted understanding and treatment. His book breaks down hoarding into three core features, offering insight into recognizing warning signs and effectively communicating with hoarders through a four-step model. You'll find practical guidance on assembling a support team and applying straightforward treatment strategies that address the condition’s debilitating effects. This book is particularly useful if you or someone close to you struggles with hoarding and seeks clear, accessible methods to begin managing or overcoming it.

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Best for mindset and decluttering methods
Julian Hulse’s book offers a clear and accessible approach to the complex problem of compulsive hoarding. This guide appeals to many because it breaks down the psychological roots and practical steps needed to confront hoarding tendencies for good. It’s especially valuable for those who have struggled to change without a structured method, providing a framework designed for lasting impact. Whether you face hoarding yourself or help someone who does, the book’s steady focus on understanding and overcoming this behavior makes it a noteworthy addition to the conversation around hoarding recovery.
2014·84 pages·Hoarding, Addictions, Mental Health, Compulsive Behavior, Decluttering

What happens when a clear-eyed approach meets the challenges of compulsive hoarding? Julian Hulse offers readers a focused exploration into the causes, symptoms, and lasting strategies to overcome hoarding behavior. You’ll find practical insights into how deeply ingrained habits and mindset barriers hinder change, alongside a straightforward plan to regain control of your living space and life. For example, the book breaks down the psychological underpinnings of hoarding and outlines a stepwise method that encourages gradual decluttering and mindset shifts. This guide suits anyone struggling with hoarding or those supporting loved ones, providing a grounded framework rather than quick fixes.

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Best for family perspective on hoarding
Jessie Sholl, an accomplished writer with essays in national newspapers and journals, brings her MFA from The New School University and her experience teaching creative writing to this revealing memoir. Her personal journey confronting her mother's compulsive hoarding while managing her health crisis shapes a narrative that is as much about family bonds as it is about mental health. Her background as coeditor of a nonfiction anthology and contributor to EverydayHealth.com equips her to handle the subject with both literary skill and sensitivity.
2010·318 pages·Hoarding, Mental Health, Family Dynamics, Addiction, Psychology

Jessie Sholl's memoir offers a candid exploration of compulsive hoarding through the intimate lens of her relationship with her mother. You gain insight into the emotional complexities and psychological underpinnings of hoarding disorder, illustrated by detailed depictions of her mother's belongings—from moldy boots to stacks of junk mail—and how these objects symbolize much deeper struggles. The book unfolds as a poignant narrative about family, memory, and the challenge of confronting painful truths while managing inherited chaos. If you seek a deeply personal perspective that blends memoir with mental health awareness, this book speaks directly to those trying to understand or cope with hoarding in close relationships.

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Hoarding Mastery Blueprint
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Conclusion

This collection of eight best-selling hoarding books highlights several clear themes: the importance of blending emotional understanding with practical treatment, the value of compassionate approaches for families and professionals, and the effectiveness of structured strategies for managing clutter and compulsive behaviors. If you prefer proven methods, start with clinical guides like "Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring" and "The Hoarding Handbook". For validated approaches enriched with personal stories, "Coming Clean" and "Dirty Secret" provide heartfelt perspectives.

Combining books that cover both practical and emotional facets will give you a well-rounded grasp of hoarding. Alternatively, you can create a personalized Hoarding book to combine proven methods with your unique needs, maximizing relevance and impact.

These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in understanding, managing, and supporting those affected by hoarding. Whether you seek professional tools or personal insight, this curated list offers a trustworthy place to begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring" for a structured, evidence-based approach. It offers practical exercises and clear guidance ideal for beginners seeking effective strategies.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Hoarding?

Not at all. Many, like "Hoarding" by Julian Hulse, break down concepts clearly for newcomers, while others provide memoirs that build empathy and understanding gradually.

What’s the best order to read these books?

Begin with clinical or practical books such as "Compulsive Hoarding" then explore memoirs like "Coming Clean" for personal perspectives. Finally, use guides like "The Hoarding Handbook" for professional insights.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your interest—practical guides for treatment, memoirs for emotional insight. Each book offers unique value, so choose what fits your current needs best.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

"Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring" and "The Hoarding Handbook" emphasize practical strategies and interventions, while memoirs like "Dirty Secret" offer more theoretical and emotional exploration.

Can I get tailored advice combining these expert insights?

Yes! While these expert books offer valuable guidance, you can also create a personalized Hoarding book to blend proven methods with your specific challenges for a focused, customized plan.

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